Showing posts with label Vice President Mike Pence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vice President Mike Pence. Show all posts

Thursday, August 2, 2018

Pence joins Korean war remains transfer ceremony, Hurricane Hector 2,000 miles out, noncitizen is on Oahu ballot, campaign spending reported, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

55 caskets of believed-to-be Americans missing from the Korean War are brought to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, during an Honorable Carry Ceremony, Aug. 1. The remains will be sent to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for identification. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Apryl Hall)
In an emotional and solemn ceremony, the remains of dozens of presumed casualties from the Korean War were escorted by military honor guards onto U.S. soil on Wednesday, 65 years after an armistice ended the conflict and weeks after President Donald Trump received a commitment from North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for their return. Associated Press.

The remains of 55 presumed Americans turned over by North Korea were welcomed back to American soil Wednesday in a solemn ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam. Star-Advertiser.

Vice President Mike Pence, other dignitaries and dozens of veterans gathered at Pearl Harbor on Wednesday for a somber repatriation ceremony to receive the possible remains of 55 American soldiers killed in the Korean War. Hawaii News Now.

Vice President Pence: 'Today our boys are coming home'. KHON2.

"These heroes were never forgotten": Pence comes to Hawaii to formally receive war remains. KITV.

Slideshow: The Long Road Home. The presumed remains of 55 casualties from the Korean War arrive in Honolulu as Vice President Mike Pence leads a repatriation ceremony. Civil Beat.

How the U.S. military will identify the remains. Associated Press.

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Having formed as a tropical storm Wednesday, Hector reached hurricane status this morning and is continuing its march toward the Central Pacific. Star-Advertiser.

Hurricane Hector in East Pacific forecast to strengthen into Category 3 storm. Hawaii News Now.

Candidates, PACs report primary election spending. Gov. David Ige has spent $2.33 million so far on his re-election effort, which is somewhat more than U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa spent on the race, but that tells only part of the money story. Star-Advertiser.

Super PACs spending to influence the vote. Star-Advertiser.

Carpenters Union Pumps $3 Million Into Hawaii’s Primary Race. The union’s super PAC is flexing its political muscle in support of Colleen Hanabusa for governor and Josh Green for lieutenant governor. Civil Beat.

Will The Next Governor Support Safe Zones For the Homeless? Gov. David Ige has taken a strong stand against tent cities, while Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa supports the concept of “ohana zones.” Civil Beat.

A Livelier Ige Comes Out Swinging In One-On-One Interview. The governor was feisty and playful in responding to criticism from Congresswoman Hanabusa and her supporters. Civil Beat.

The U.S. Senate has unanimously confirmed prosecutor Jill Otake to be a federal judge in Hawaii. Hawaii News Now.

It may be years before Hawaii sees changes to its firearms law following the July 24 ruling by a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that the state’s requirement for a license to openly carry a firearm in public violates the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii cannabis leaders explore new edibles regulations and employment issues. Hawaii News Now.

Study: Plastic degrading in the oceans could be contributing to global warming. Hawaii News Now.

Transfer of Hawaii inmates to Arizona comes amid growing scrutiny of practice. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii state pension fund names new chief investment officer. The Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawaii named Elizabeth Burton its new chief investment officer, replacing Vijoy Chattergy, who left the $16.5 billion public workers pension in February. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Lack Of US Citizenship Trips Up GOP State House Candidate. Sailau Timoteo is a citizen of American Samoa, which apparently makes her ineligible to even vote, much less run. Civil Beat.

State House contender born in American Samoa told she's ineligible to run. Hawaii News Now.

Department of Land and Natural Resources personnel removed four vessels Tuesday that were illegally stored along Lanikai Beach. Star-Advertiser.

Work continues to reduce Waianae's soaring homeless pet population. Hawaii News Now.

Improvement projects at two Leeward Coast parks have been completed, and the impacted facilities are now open to the public. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

The state and county are looking at the possibility of building a bypass route or routes as the condition of Highway 11 near Volcano Village and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park deteriorates because of near-constant seismic activity at the summit of Kilauea volcano. Tribune-Herald.

The Volcano Fire Station which was located within the National Park at the former Kilauea Military Camp (Station 19) has been temporarily relocated to a safer location, officials say. Big Island Video News.

The county has instituted an amnesty program for owners seeking to get rid of their unwanted vehicle. West Hawaii Today.

The state Department of Transportation’s Airports Division later this month will host a public information meeting regarding commercial helicopter flights over residential areas, the DOT announced Wednesday. Tribune-Herald.

A fairly new pest is making its presence known on Hawaii Island's east side. Cacao Farmers of Hawaii and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee is warning farmers of the Longhorn Beetle, which poses a major threat to tree-related agriculture businesses. Hawaii News Now.

'Hilo Massacre' commemorated. Eighty years ago, a peaceful protest took a tragic turn as police opened fire on an unarmed crowd of union workers and their supporters at the docks of Hilo Bay in 1938. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists have started analyzing live data collected by two ocean robots on the impacts of lava flowing into the water off lower Puna. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

For candidates, similar issues, different takes. State Rep. Justin Woodson says he’s seeking re-election to the House District 9 seat to continue work on issues including affordable housing, homelessness, public school funding and kupuna care. Maui News.

Questions raised about the post office site lease. Councilors concerned about funds already used to plan new building. Maui News.

The entangled whale shark seen off the coast of Maui in early July was cut free from about 150 pounds of line on Sunday off the coast of Lanai. Garden Island.

A juvenile whale shark that was entangled with heavy rope in recent weeks has been freed. Maui Now.

Judge’s ruling allows shoreline project to go on. Opponents of Hololani project sought to stop steel piles. Maui News.


Kauai

A Tiny Company’s Big Battle Over Water Rights. The bottlers have long sought a permit to validate the taking of a small amount of spring water that some customers say has healing qualities. Garden Island.

KPD Chief Darryl Perry retires, search underway for replacement. KHON2.

Cesspools are front and center at two meetings scheduled for Kauai at the beginning of August and the public still has the chance to get in on one of them. Garden Island.

Molokai

The Public Utilities Commission has approved the first grid-scale solar and battery energy storage project to be built on Molokai. KHON2.

The first grid-scale solar and battery energy storage project to be built on Molokai has gained approval from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Maui Now.

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Pence arrives in Hawaii for Korean war remains transfer, Ige and Hanabusa both support lifting county cap on TAT, Case has big lead in congressional poll, big profits for Matson, lava-struck college student recovering in Honolulu hospital, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii hotel pool party ©2018 All Hawaii News
Vice President Mike Pence touched down on Oahu late Tuesday night ahead of a ceremony to receive the possible remains of over 50 American soldiers killed in the Korean War. Hawaii News Now.

NKorea provided just 1 dog tag with 55 sets of war remains. When North Korea handed over 55 boxes of bones that it said are remains of American war dead, it provided a single military dog tag but no other information that could help U.S. forensics experts determine their individual identities, a U.S. defense official said Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

Ige, Hanabusa Want Cap Lifted On Counties’ Share Of Hotel Tax Revenue. The Democratic candidates for governor faced off Tuesday night for perhaps the final time before the Aug. 11 primary. Civil Beat.

Gubernatorial Campaign Stop: Obon Festivals. The two Democratic candidates for Hawaii Governor are working hard to secure their base – Americans of Japanese Ancestry or AJAs.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Civil Beat Poll: Case Has Big Lead In 6-Way Race For Congress. And U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is poised to win re-election by a landslide — again. Civil Beat.

Sherry Campagna’s Quest To Unseat Hawaii’s Most Popular Politician. The challenger must overcome U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s high poll numbers, fundraising prowess and national profile. Civil Beat.

The state says Hawaii's election system is secure. The Office of Elections says they're ready for the voting to begin. They've set up tests for the ballot systems and are working with the office of enterprise services to make sure the ballot process goes smoothly. KHON2.

Multinational Beach Assault Marks Completion of RIMPAC. Hawaii Public Radio.

Chicago poke company stands by divisive 'removal of aloha' trademark policy. Hawaii News Now.

Matson profit soars due to tax break. A big income tax cut helped Hawaii’s largest ocean cargo transportation firm, Matson Inc., produce 36 percent more profit in the second quarter. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu-based shipping giant Matson Inc. on Tuesday reported net income of $32.6 million, or 76 cents per diluted share, for the quarter ending June 30, an increase of 35 percent compared with $24 million, or 55 cents per diluted share, during the same period in 2017. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

Source of attack ads is a mystery. A series of mailers attacking Honolulu City Council candidate Robert “Bobby” Bunda calls for constituents of Council District 2 (Mililani Mauka to Kahaluu) to instead vote for Dave Burlew, one of the other three candidates in the race. Star-Advertiser.

Louis Kealoha's attorney requests separate trials for charges. A new motion filed in court Tuesday by the attorney for former Honolulu police chief Louis Kealoha is asking that several counts against him be tried separate from his wife. KHON2.

Gov. David Ige has appointed former Honolulu City Council member Jon Yoshimura to fill the state Senate seat vacated by Will Espero, who stepped down this year to run for lieutenant governor. Star-Advertiser.

Kailua Community Responds to Vacation Rental Bill. Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell last week announced his plan to tackle the problem which has been festering for close to 30 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Statue of Kamehameha III marks restoration of Thomas Square. Tuesday’s dedication of a 12-foot-tall statue of King Kamehameha III in the middle of Thomas Square celebrated Hawaiian pride, provided a lesson in island history and honored a king who gave up his monarchy in the belief that justice would prevail. Star-Advertiser.

$250K Statue of King Kamehameha III unveiled at Thomas Square. Hawaii News Now.

Cadets lost in Wahiawa forest ate ants to fight off hunger. Strawberry guava and ants was what two Army ROTC cadets subsisted on while lost overnight in a jungle warfare course in Wahiawa, said a Mililani man who helped the men find their way back to civilization. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu's not the best place to flip houses, but it's not the worst. Urban Honolulu was ranked 155th out of 172 cities for a WalletHub analysis of the best places to flip houses in 2018, places where a buyer can make a profit from buying and selling a fixer-upper. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

HTA pumps $1.2M into marketing Big Island. After a 5 percent drop in visitor arrivals to the Big Island in June, Hawaii’s tourism marketing officials want to change the existing consumer perception from “It’s not the right time to visit” to “Now just may be the best time ever to visit.” Star-Advertiser.

Although total visitor spending to date this year on the Big Island remains higher than 2017, spending and visitors to the island declined in June. Tribune-Herald.

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‘I Thought I Was Dying’: Injured Tourist Recalls Hawaii Lava Blast. The 20-year-old woman from Illinois suffered a broken thigh bone and pelvis, as well as several other injuries. Associated Press.

From a hospital bed, woman hit by lava describes horrifying experience. Hawaii News Now.

Illinois student describes being struck by lava bomb. Moments before 20-year-old Jessica Tilton was struck July 16 by a lava bomb that broke multiple bones in her body, she heard an explosion and saw a big cloud that kept coming toward the tour boat she was on. Star-Advertiser.

Woman badly injured in lava tour boat thought she was going to die. KHON2.

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Boat ramp remains despite ocean entry, delta at Pohoiki. Tribune-Herald.

Mayor Kim undergoes procedure to install heart defibrillator. Tribune-Herald.

The highest ranking state sheriff on the Big Island has agreed to pay a $6,000 fine for two alleged ethics violations. Hawaii News Now.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission says a deputy sheriff has agreed to pay $6,000 after he was accused of receiving overtime pay for hours he didn't work. KHON2.

Police announced scheduling changes for Saturday’s services for fallen Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa, who was shot and killed in the line of duty on July 17. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Controversial Maui seawall project gets green light in court. The Kahana seawall project in West Maui will start this week as planned. Hawaii News Now.

Visible work on Kihei High set to begin. Roads, plumbing and grading kick off phase one of construction. Maui News.

Maui Police to Enforce Traffic Violations in School Zones. Maui Now.


Kauai

Food distribution at Kapaa beach draws crowds. The line of people next to the Toyota pickup stretches 15 deep on a Wednesday morning at the parking lot fronting Kapaa Beach Park. Garden Island.

Laysan albatross chicks still fledging. There are still a few awkward young Laysan albatross wandering around Kauai with their wild feathers and wide wingspans, but Oahu’s albatross have all fledged and set record numbers while doing it. Garden Island.

Molokai

State believes recent Hawaiian monk seal deaths on Molokai caused by humans. The investigation continues into the recent deaths of three Hawaiian monk seals on Molokai, and officials believe their deaths were caused by human-inflicted trauma. KHON2.

Friday, July 27, 2018

Pence coming to Hawaii to receive Korean war remains, locals dread tourism rise, Ige and Hanabusa spar over environment, Caldwell touts regulation of vacation rentals, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

copyright 2018 All Hawaii News all rights reserved
Hawaii beach scene ©2018 All Hawaii News
Vice President Pence coming to Hawaii to receive possible remains of U.S. service members from North Korea. Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Hawaii next week when the remains of possible U.S. service members who died in the Korean war arrive at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to be identified. Star-Advertiser.

The remains of over 50 American soldiers killed in the Korean War will soon be headed to Hawaii after a United States military plane successfully retrieved the remains on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

Korean War remains make way to Oahu. Fifty-five cases of possible American remains were flown out of North Korea by a U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo aircraft today, setting up their arrival next week at Joint Base Pearl Harbor- Hickam for identification as part of a historic turnover brokered between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Star-Advertiser.

As tourism rises, residents less positive. Some 61 percent of the 1,600 or so Hawaii residents who participated in the Hawaii Tourism Authority Resident Sentiment Survey, which was conducted by Omnitrak from Oct. 13 to Jan. 16, said they strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement, “Tourism has brought more benefits than problems.” Star-Advertiser.

Four Takeaways From Hawaii’s Pre-Primary Election Spending. Gubernatorial candidate Colleen Hanabusa is the big winner in labor unions’ super PAC sweepstakes, election reports show. Civil Beat.

The Hawaii Conservation Alliance hosted a Gubernatorial Candidate Forum on the Environment today. The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor were asked four questions, provided beforehand, on what they’d do if elected as the state’s chief executive. Hawaii Public Radio.

Candidates for governor tout their green credentials at forum. Hawaii News Now.

Hanabusa Attacks Ige’s 2005 Vote Against Environmental Fund. Ige says he doesn’t remember why he voted against creation of the Legacy Land Conservation Program, but that he supports it now. Civil Beat.

Former fighter pilot declared Pacific Air Forces commander. A former F-16 fighter pilot who later had key roles in Libya operations and the air war against the Islamic State took command of Pacific Air Forces on Thursday at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Star-Advertiser.

Stock sale ups First Hawaiian Bank’s net in quarter. First Hawaiian Bank’s net income in the second quarter grew 21.4 percent over the previous year to $69.1 million, or 50 cents per share, following a large stock sale by its former majority shareholder. Star-Advertiser.

First Hawaiian reports 21 percent increase in net income for Q2 2018. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The mayor Thursday unveiled a bill that allow homeowners to set up bed-and-breakfast establishments where they live but bans nonowner transient vacation units in residential zones. Star-Advertiser.

Mayor Proposes Sweeping Changes In Vacation Rental Rules. The bill would make it easier for residents to rent out part of their homes but limit the number of properties listed by absentee owners. Civil Beat.

Mayor's new bill proposes more vacation rentals, stiffer fines. Hawaii News Now.

Proposed bill could push vacation rentals out of residential neighborhoods. KHON2.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is going to introduce three new bills to city council dealing with short term rentals. They call for harsh penalties for violators. KITV.

Caldwell vetoes military tax exemption measure. A bill giving military service members living in homes they purchased on Oahu an additional break on property taxes was vetoed by Mayor Kirk Caldwell this week. Star-Advertiser.

Dozens of sex predators are registered as living in Oahu parks, review shows. A Hawaii News Now investigation has revealed some alarming gaps in the system, including vague addresses and dozens of convicted sex predators living places where you hope children can be safest. Hawaii News Now.

Blessing held for ‘micro-housing’ tower in Kakaako. The project, Nohona Hale, is unique because it’s the first tower of purely “micro- unit” rental apartments to be built in Hawaii. Star-Advertiser.

State officials made the first step toward the completion of Hawaii's first affordable micro-housing complex with a ground breaking ceremony in Kakaako on Thursday. Hawaii News Now.

The first ever micro-unit project is set to be built on Oahu. Nohona Hale is being constructed on Cooke Street. KHON2.

Hawaii Island

Hanabusa Attacks Ige On Mistaken Release Of Murder Suspect. The hunt for the murder suspect mistakenly released from a Hilo correctional facility has taken a political turn. Big Island Video News.

Gov. David Ige said Thursday evening he’s “deeply concerned” about what the Department of Public safety admitted was the “erroneous release” of murder suspect Brian Lee Smith Tuesday at Hawaii Community Correctional Center. Tribune-Herald.

State lawmaker demands accountability following mistaken release of Big Island suspected murderer. KHON2.

Law enforcement is looking for the suspect in last month’s fatal shooting on Painted Church Road after he was “erroneously released” from Hawaii Community Correctional Center on Tuesday. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Murder Defendant Mistakenly Released From Jail. Brian Lee Smith was being held on $1.5 million bail in connection with a June shooting death in South Kona. Associated Press.

A manhunt is underway for a 49-year-old man awaiting trial for murder who was mistakenly released from a Big Island jail Tuesday. Hawaii News Now.

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Jack’s Tours comes to an end. The decline in tourism on the Big Island following the Kilauea eruption claimed another business Wednesday when Hilo-based tour company Jack’s Tours announced its intention to close at the end of the month. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island Charter School Buried in Lava Finds New Home. Hawaii Public Radio.

Experts Talk About Effect of Kilauea’s Current Eruption on Marine Life. Big Island Now.

The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply on Wednesday challenged assertions that it’s obligated to buy a specified amount of wind power to run eight deep wells in South Kohala. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Candidates for the open West Maui County Council residency seat said they wanted to see a better public transportation system for West Maui, more efforts on the part of hotels to provide housing and transportation for workers and solutions to coastal erosion that didn’t involve seawalls. Maui News.

No-Cost Maui County Tropic Care Clinic, Aug. 11-19 in Lahaina. Maui Now.

Kauai

The Hanalei post office is set to reopen Monday, more than three months after the building was damaged in Kauai’s April flooding. Garden Island.

Kauai waters are now critical habitat for false killer whales, thanks to a National Marine Fisheries Service designation published Tuesday in the Federal Register. Garden Island.

Kauai hotels do well in 1st first half of 2018. Kauai’s hotels led the state in growth of revenue per available room (RevPAR) for the first six months of 2018 ($233, plus 15.2 percent), boosted by increases in average daily room rate (ADR) to $295 (plus 12 percent) and occupancy of 79.2 percent (plus 2.2 percentage points). Garden Island.

The stock on the shelves was dwindling at Ishihara Market Thursday afternoon as loyal customers dropped by to say mahalo to the Ishihara family for more than 80 years of business in Waimea. Garden Island.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Hawaii House, Senate conference committee reaches budget agreement, Pence dines with troops, paraphernalia decriminalized, Hawaii County transit administrator steps down, Makiki homeless apartments opened, Haiku Stairs may come down, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

courtesy Senate majority
House, Senate conference committee, courtesy Senate majority
House and Senate lawmakers reached agreement on a new two-year, $28.4 billion state operating budget Monday that would increase state spending over this year’s level but would trim the overall budget somewhat from what Gov. David Ige originally proposed. Star-Advertiser

When a conference committee of Hawaii House and Senate leaders reached agreement on a state budget bill Monday — sooner than is typical — it was in marked contrast to the sense of stalemate that permeated the Capitol days earlier. Civil Beat.

Governor’s Political Fortunes May Rise With New Teachers’ Contract. Many other union contracts are still being negotiated, but David Ige is being praised by the teachers union after it reached a deal with the state. Civil Beat.

Hawaii's public school teachers are asking tough questions at informational meetings about their new contract proposal. Hawaii News Now.

Some East Hawaii educators say they’re “pleasantly surprised” with a new tentative contract agreement that would gradually bump their annual pay by more than $6,000 and boost the state’s contribution to their health care. Tribune-Herald.

Vice President Mike Pence dined with about 120 service members this afternoon at Joint Base Pearl Harbor/Hickam on an abbreviated stopover in the islands before returning to Washington from a week-long trip to Asia and Australia. Star-Advertiser.

House and Senate negotiators agreed Monday morning on a bill that would decriminalize possession of drug paraphernalia, reducing the penalties for being caught with items such as a marijuana pipe or cigarette papers to no more than $500. Star-Advertiser.

The Legal Services Corp., Microsoft Corp. and Pro Bono Net have named Hawaii as a state partner in a pilot program to develop online, statewide legal portals to direct individuals with civil legal needs to the most appropriate forms of assistance. Pacific Business News.

Oahu

The Honolulu Board of Water Supply is moving forward with a plan to demolish the Haiku Stairs, although both supporters and opponents of the plan insist the fate of the popular — but now illegal — hiking trail is far from decided. Star-Advertiser.

Should Haiku Stairs be torn out or managed? KITV.

Hawaiian Electric Co. has contracted to build the state’s largest solar farm near Haleiwa with up to 500,000 solar panels on 100 acres. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiian Electric Co. and New Jersey-based NRG Energy Inc. have struck a deal on a power purchase agreement for the Honolulu-based utility to buy power from the Kawailoa Solar farm on Oahu’s North Shore, the two companies said Monday. Pacific Business News.

At least 15 people were treated for exposure to ammonia Monday after a major leak at Pier 38. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu Prosecutor Could Be A Witness For The Defense. In an unusual move, a defense attorney wants Keith Kaneshiro to testify about a prosecutor’s investigation into “ghost tickets.” Civil Beat.

Within a few weeks the first homeless families are expected to move into newly renovated rental apartments in the heart of urban Honolulu as the city continues to find homes for people living on the street. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu To Open Makiki Apartments For Homeless People. Applicants for the 42 units must earn less than $35,200 per year for an individual or $50,250 for a family of four. Civil Beat.

City takes legal action to clean Makiki property neglected for years. KHON2.

A Honolulu company headed by a Hawaii solar energy executive has racked up fines totaling $22,000 for multiple violations at its Haleiwa property on Oahu’s North Shore, including doing unpermitted work. Pacific Business News.

Hawaii Island

Mass Transit Administrator Tiffany Kai is stepping down and Mayor Harry Kim is bringing in a retired U.S. Marine to whip the struggling Hele-On bus system into shape. West Hawaii Today.

A former Department of Land and Natural Resources enforcement officer was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison for the New Year’s Day 2016 sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl on a beach in Hilo’s Keaukaha neighborhood. Tribune-Herald.

Big Island visitors traveling via the popular home sharing website Airbnb this past week for the 54th annual Merrie Monarch Festival Hula Competition were expected to generate $5.2 million in economic activity through guest spending and host earnings, according to Airbnb. West Hawaii Today.

A new National Park Service report shows almost $200 million in economic benefits associated with visitation to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Hawai‘i Island. Big Island Video News.

Scientists are looking to man’s best friend for help in the fight against rapid ohia death. Dogs already are used to sniff out a fungus in Florida avocado trees, and researchers in Hawaii think they could be trained to detect the ohia disease before trees show symptoms. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

State House and Senate conferees agreed Monday on a biennium budget that includes $33.4 million for a Kaiser Permanente subsidiary to run Maui County public hospitals as well as capital improvement funds for extending the Lahaina bypass in the Kaanapali direction and for holding room expansion at Kahului Airport. Maui News.

Maui County Council Budget and Finance Committee Chairman Riki Hokama has proposed keeping the Waiehu Municipal Golf Course open, raising some county rates and fees and a mixed bag of increases and decreases to property tax classifications, compared to the proposed budget of Mayor Alan Arakawa. Maui News.

The Maui County Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday on real property tax hikes that Mayor Alan Arakawa has proposed for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Maui News.

Kauai

Computer, Internet services at public libraries might be lost under Trump’s proposed budget. Garden Island.

Kauai still free of rat lungworm. Health officials advise caution. Garden Island.

An interim arrangement has been reached to address the issue with HI5 bottle redemption and commercially generated recyclable services. Garden Island.

Monday, April 24, 2017

VP Pence visits Hawaii, Hanabusa downplays Korea fear, big raise mulled for teachers, half of Big Island buses broken down, private sponsorship of Oahu city parks proposed, record high carbon dioxide measured, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Pence in Hawaii, courtesy KHON2
Vice President Mike Pence and his family late Sunday evening arrived on Oahu, where he will spend most of his short visit with military personnel. KHON2.

Vice President Mike Pence is on Oahu for a short visit before going back to Washington, D.C., concluding his 10-day, four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific region. Hawaii News Now.

Vice President Mike Pence is making a shortened visit to Hawaii today before heading back to Washington, D.C., ahead of a busy week for President Donald Trump. Star-Advertiser.

Vice President Mike Pence's office said he would depart Hawaii on Monday afternoon after meeting with U.S. Pacific Command leaders and troops stationed in Honolulu. Plans for a Tuesday visit to the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor have been postponed, Pence's office said. Associated Press.

Video: VP Mike Pence Arrives in Honolulu. Civil Beat.

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The fears of a ballistic missile strike on Hawaii from North Korea are overblown, according to U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, speaking at a town hall in Honolulu Saturday. Civil Beat.

3 judges to hear appeal of Hawaii ruling blocking travel ban. Associated Press.

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Hawaii public school teachers would see multiyear pay raises totaling nearly 14 percent under a tentative four-year contract deal reached with the state. Star-Advertiser.

A crucial vote for thousands of Hawaii's public school teachers is coming up this week. They'll have a chance to learn more about a tentative contract agreement during statewide meetings that start on Monday. Hawaii News Now.

After nine months of negotiating, beginning public school teachers across Hawaii could see their salaries jump by nearly $10,000. For the first time by the end of the contract, beginning teachers in Hawaii will be making over $50,000 a year. KITV.

Tentative agreement goes to teachers to ratify. KHON2.

Corey Rosenlee, president of the 13,500-Member Hawaii State Teachers Association, announced that the HSTA Board is recommending a tentative agreement for four-year contract. Maui Now.

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Tom Gorak, Gov. David Ige’s controversial nominee to the state agency that regulates Hawaii’s utilities was dealt a preliminary setback Friday when he was narrowly rejected by a Senate committee. Star-Advertiser.

A state Senate committee recommended Friday to the full Senate to reject Gov. David Ige’s nomination of current Hawaii Public Utilities Commission commissioner Thomas Gorak. Pacific Business News.

A state House-Senate conference committee has recommended final passage of a bill that would budget $250,000 in state money to help fund a physician student loan repayment program for doctors who practice in underserved areas in Hawaii. Maui News.
http://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2017/04/funding-for-student-loan-repayment-program-advances-in-state-legislature/

Atmospheric carbon dioxide measurements from Mauna Loa Observatory last week topped 410 parts per million for the first time in modern history. Star-Advertiser.

More than 600 students joined activists at the state Capitol rotunda Thursday in support of a bill that sets a goal of having all ground transportation in Hawaii run on renewable fuel by 2045. Star-Advertiser.

Lawmakers tussle with bill to fight painkiller addiction. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii lawmakers are still considering several bills designed to make life easier for condominium owners and stem complaints about the boards that oversee their buildings, but some owners say the legislation doesn’t go far enough. Civil Beat.

The state’s Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee advanced a resolution Tuesday calling for a national constitutional convention to claw back the U.S. Supreme Court’s controversial Citizens United decision, which has increased the influence of corporate money in political campaigns. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii, last year ranked the healthiest state in the nation, has scored below average in a report measuring public health preparedness — or the ability to respond to natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other public health crises. Star-Advertiser.

As state health officials try to balance public education with preventing panic, some critics believe the state should have addressed rat lungworm disease more vigorously earlier. Civil Beat.

Commentary: Ige’s administration lacks needed victories. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

A bill that would allow private sponsorship of city parks and other facilities is drawing the ire of the Outdoor Circle and others worried that it would clear the way for billboards and other outdoor advertising despite the strong insistence by the bill’s author that that won’t happen. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Commission votes down Haleiwa house lots plan. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

The wheels on the bus aren’t going round and round for almost half the Hele-On fleet. West Hawaii Today.

Hawaii Electric Light Co. and its parent companies, Hawaiian Electric Co. and Hawaiian Electric Industries, are asking a judge to dismiss a federal antitrust lawsuit against them by Hu Honua Bioenergy and compel arbitration of all claims. Tribune-Herald.

Hawaii County’s 2017-18 spending plan was hit with a double whammy Thursday, when a legislative conference committee deadlocked on the county share of the hotel tax and firefighters were awarded a more than 2 percent pay increase. West Hawaii Today.

Invasive spittlebug attacks Kona grazing land. Tribune-Herald.

The Ka‘u Community Development Plan is nearing completion. Tribune-Herald.

Not cleared for takeoff: DLNR confusion puts model flying club in holding pattern. West Hawaii Today.

Maui

Maui surrounded by history. A team of divers is documenting state’s underwater wreckage. Maui News.

Signs have been posted warning people against trespassing near a crop of sunflowers on Maui that is being grown as part of an experiment to produce biofuel. A growing number of visitors have been attracted to the yellow flowers that started blooming weeks ago. Associated Press.

Kauai

The Kauai Police Department is requesting nearly $900,000 from the County Council to lease 15 marked patrol Ford Explorers. Garden Island.

The gigantic pension plan that serves Los Angeles County government employees is putting up for sale the St. Regis Princeville Resort and Makai Golf Club in Princeville, which have been part of the fund’s assets since 2005. The decision has major financial and other ramifications for Kauai. Garden Island.